Drug that Cuts Cholesterol on Sale at Chemists
By Celia Hall

Drugs that reduce harmful cholesterol in the blood became freely available from chemists yesterday to the applause of heart doctors.

The decision to allow the drugs, known as statins, to be sold without prescription was made earlier this year as part of the Government's drive to offer patients more choice in health care.

But it is controversial. The British Heart Foundation has welcomed the potential to cut heart attacks and strokes, but the Consumers' Association said lifting restrictions was worrying.

Wendy Garlick, a spokesman, said: "The public could be at risk due to lack of specific clinical trials of such use of the drug in the population of people at moderate risk of heart disease."

The Lancet said this year that the Government had made statins freely available only to save money on prescriptions. The drugs are expected to cost the NHS £2 billion a year by 2010.

The first statin to be made available is Zocor (simvastatin), from Johnson & Johnson at £12.99 for a four- week supply of 10 mg tablets. Pharmacists will advise on appropriate use and in some cases refer customers to their GPs. Dr Tom Bowker, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said the development of statins had been a breakthrough that had already saved thousands of lives in Britain.

"This makes today a big step forward for cardio-vascular medicine," he said. "The BHF is confident in making simvastatin available without prescription will help improve many people's lives and reduce risk of heart attack or stroke."

Johnson & Johnson said statins had a good safety record and could benefit 7.4 million people at moderate risk of heart attack.

Dr Stephen Mann, from the company's research and development department, said consumers would be warned of possible side effects at the point of sale, but these were "very rare" and the risk was lowest at 10 mg dosage.

Statins on prescription are taken by 1.8 million people in Britain and thought to save 6,000 to 7,000 lives a year.

Over the counter, they are recommended for all men over the age of 55.

They are also advised for men aged 45 to 54 and for women over 55 who have other risk factors, such as being overweight, smoking and having a family history of early heart disease.
The Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2004

CTM COMMENT: Dr Joseph Mercola hosts an excellent three-part article on the dangers posed by these new 'wonder-drugs', soon to be available down at your local pharmacist/druggist. For those wishing to reduce heart risks without having to resort to the medicine cabinet, Phillip Day's book, The ABC's of Disease, gives full details on the natural way to a strong and healthy heart.
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